Florida City, Surety Reach Settlement to Complete Road, Sewer Repair

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The thought of seeing more crews working on Ulmerton Road is probably enough to give some commuters nightmares. It took more than five years for construction on the road to finish last year after the project suffered numerous setbacks, including the original contractor defaulting on its obligations and bailing on the job. Largo engineers say that contractor, Conalvias USA, likely …

Maryland GCs Likely to Require Subs to Obtain Bonds in Light of New Wage, Hour Laws

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At the tail-end of the 2018 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed Senate Bill 853, making construction general contractors jointly and severally liable for the failure of their subcontractors to pay their employees in compliance with Maryland’s wage and hour laws. This new law will become effective October 1, 2018. California recently passed a similar measure, AB 1701, which …

Court Rules General Contractor Entitled to Final Retainage Payment

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The case involved a dispute over final payment of retainage between general contractor Woodrow Wilson Construction, LLC (WWC) and owner of the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) in connection with a project for the construction of a new school. Upon substantial completion of the project, WWC submitted its application for final retainage payment. OPSB refused to issue final payment, claiming …

Women Find Opportunities Pursuing Construction Trades

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Lily Thompson laughs when she hears that women can’t handle themselves on a construction site. “That’s a societal thing as much as anything,” said Thompson, a journey-level carpenter with Local 336 of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters. “If a mother can pick a sleeping child out of bed 2,500 times, there’s no reason she can’t pick up metal …

Commercial Surety Bonds Product Thriving in Camparision to LOCs

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Commercial surety in the US is a recipe for success if you understand the intricacies and complexities of the market. The product is booming as an alternative in lieu of traditional letters of credit (LOC) and there’s ripe fruit for the picking. “The US commercial surety market is experiencing growth that’s faster than the overall insurance market and faster than …

Contractors, Trade Unions Enhance Apprenticeships Targeting Women, Minorities

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About 20% of the construction workers who built the Hilton Cleveland Downtown hotel on The Mall were minorities, and 6% were women. That’s a big improvement for an industry that used to have the reputation of lacking a diverse workforce. One reason for the change is a joint effort by contractors and the construction trade unions to build a pipeline …

Improvements in Technology are Already Affecting Loss Control

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Insurers are looking for new ways to control losses, improve underwriting and attract business after last year’s catastrophes failed to induce marketwide rate hikes. Greater use of technology to reduce exposures and improve safety are being introduced as underwriters seek to differentiate their services, insurers say. And market strategies are changing after recent mergers and acquisition have transformed some insurers. …

Georgia Case Reminds Contractors Sovereign Immunity Can Limit Ability to Recover

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Sovereign immunity is the legal doctrine, dating back to the days of the British monarchy, that a sovereign or state cannot commit a legal wrong and is immune from suit: in essence, “the king can do no wrong.” Fulton County v. SOCO Contracting Co., a recent decision by the Georgia state appeals court, reminds contractors on government projects that sovereign …

VA Sets Aside Millions for Construction Projects

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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has set aside $685 million in congressional funding for several State Veterans Home construction projects. The projects will be funded through the VA State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program and will be used for repairs, renovation, or new construction. This is the largest appropriation to the grant program in its 50-year history and is …